Title: Animal Wellbeing: Foundations in Zoo Research Internship
Reports to: Curator of Wellbeing and Science and Applied Animal Wellbeing Officer
Overview:
The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is proud to be a leader in animal wellbeing. Headed by our Curator of Wellbeing and Science, Lindsay Mahovetz-Myers, PhD, the Wellbeing Team is committed to conducting welfare and wellbeing-related research for the animals in our care to thrive.
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens invites applicants for an internship with the Zoo’s Animal Wellbeing Team. Our Foundations in Zoo Research Internship equips interns with the basics of animal wellbeing based around the Five Domains: behavioral, physical, nutritional, environmental, and mental. Interns gain experience in animal wellbeing by understanding the preferences and needs of animal species in the Zoo.
Learn how positive natural behaviors and exploration benefit the animals living in our care through interning with Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens!
Interns will assist the Wellbeing team with the following:
- Live or pre-recorded behavioral observations of assigned animal or animal group
- Weekly reporting of data to Wellbeing staff
- Attendance and participation in staff/guest meetings and lectures
High Performing Interns may assist the Wellbeing team with the following:
- Participation in research design and coordination
- Data analysis of observations
- Summarizing results and providing brief overviews of data
- Media cataloging existing projects
- Poster presentation to animal staff, post-project completion
*Please note that these lists are not meant to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and that the requirements of the internship are subject to change as required*
Interns will have the opportunity to learn about the following:
- Scientific and objective study of animal behavior
- Data analysis and graphic tools to report behavior
Qualifications:
• Strong passion for wildlife conservation and science
• Major in biology or animal sciences with a heavy emphasis on writing data analysis
• Strong organizational skills
• Willingness to take initiative and motivation to seek new learning opportunities
• Keen attention to detail when proofreading, copyediting, and fact-checking
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Strong command of Microsoft Office and Excel
• Flexibility and a good sense of humor
• Has taken or is taking research methods or equivalent (required)
• Has taken or is taking animal behavior or equivalent (ideally)
***If receiving school credit through a university biology department, it’s the responsibility of the students to arrange for the credit
Physical requirements:
- Ability to sit for long periods of time.
- Must be able to walk, bend, kneel and crawl.
- Able to lift and carry 50 pounds without difficulty.
- Ability to traverse zoo grounds on foot and operate a motorized golf cart.
Additional Qualifications:
Education and Experience
- Enrollment in or graduation from an associate or bachelor’s degree program in a related field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong work ethic: dependable, timely, responsive, productive, organized
- Effective verbal and written communication skills including professional and respectful interpersonal skills
- Excellent safety practices including safe operation of hand tools, vehicles, and equipment
- Basic computer operations, including Microsoft Office, and willingness/ability to use technology
- Ability to learn new tasks and follow written and verbal instructions
- Effective time management including prioritization
- Sound judgment and critical thinking skills
- Ability to remain focused despite interruptions and manage stress to perform job effectively
- An inclusive mindset with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Acceptance and application of constructive feedback
- Maintains confidentiality where required
We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
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